I once heard a humorous story.
A young fly, freely flying out of the house through an open window, suddenly saw an old fly hopelessly beating itself against the glass, trying to escape to freedom. The young fly returned, flew up to the old fly and said, "Why are you hitting the glass? The window is open right here." To which the old fly replied, "For freedom, my dear, you must fight!"
If I were to ask you, which of the flies is right, what would you say? Objectively speaking, of course, the young fly is right: if freedom is available, why not take advantage of it? But reflecting on the old fly's words, we must also conclude that there's truth in them—freedom truly needs to be fought for.
Recently, while walking past the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C., I noticed these words: "Freedom is not free."
We live in an amazingly blessed country, the USA, that rightfully prides itself on its values, among which independence—freedom is paramount.
"Give me liberty, or give me death!"—Patrick Henry, a young man then 39 years old, once declared these words at the very beginning of the struggle for independence, on March 23, 1775, in one of Richmond's churches.
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! How much is contained in that word! What a powerful word! The power of this word lies in every person's deepest desire to be free, because every person is created by the Creator in His image and likeness for an amazing, full life in freedom. But the power of this word also lies in the fact that each of us understands today that we are not truly free.
Yes, we no longer live in a slave system, but who among us can truly say they are free today? Starting with the fact that we are burdened by our own worries, fears, and anxieties. Not to mention dependencies like drugs, alcohol, computer games, pornography, and the pursuit of material possessions – in essence, people remain unfree, though they deeply desire it, as we've already mentioned.
Perhaps this is why Jesus Christ begins His sermon of the Gospel—the Good News of the coming New Era—the Kingdom of God with these words:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:3-4 (NIV))
In the context of a conversation about freedom, these words can be understood as: "Happy is the one who has understood that they are not free," "Happy is the one who mourns over this realization." But why are they happy? It's very simple: because now, with the preaching of the Gospel—the Good News of the Kingdom of God—an alternative existence, another parallel reality, has become accessible to people: the Reality of the Kingdom of God. A reality where the king does not rule over his subjects but washes their feet and ultimately dies for them to bring them freedom. A reality where you are accepted and endlessly loved by the Creator of all that exists—you are accepted and loved by God.
"But where is this reality?" someone might ask.
This new reality is in the process of unfolding today, through the Church, through a church similar to the one that perhaps you attend every Sunday. The Church is not a building or even an organization. The Church is people who strive to live differently, who strive to be guided in their lives primarily by love—love for God and for people. This new reality is here now, through the Church.
One might think that I'm trying to say that free people are found in the church, but that would be far from the truth. In the church, people are the same as everywhere else: they have fears and worries, and they also struggle with their vices and addictions. But what makes the Church distinct from the rest of the world is that it believes in and learns to live in the new reality of the Kingdom of God—a Kingdom of Goodness, Love, Hope, and all that is good and excellent. Sometimes it succeeds, and sometimes it doesn't, but it definitely strives for it.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this freedom is available to everyone today, just as the open window was available to the young fly.
Speaking about Himself, Jesus Christ once said:
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. " (John 10:9 (NIV))
But this salvation, this freedom, was not free. In order to free us from the bondage of our unbelief and vices, Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose on the third day.
Also in the Gospels, He says about Himself:
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. " (John 8:36 (NIV))
" “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. " (Matthew 11:28 (NIV))
May God bless you, dear ones! Happy Independence Day!